posted May 07, 2002 01:57 AM
Coming from sprint cars we don't understand why nobody uses a live axle like in a sprint car in a dirt late model. You can save about 80 lbs of unsprung weight with a live axle and aluminum bird cages. Some people we talked to said they would break but if that is true than how can super modifieds run them (lots of lateral G, not to mention offset). We talked to someone at Winters who put one together a few years ago for Raybburn and we might give it a try. Even thought about making a Jacobs ladder just to be different. Anybody have any thoughts??

birdcageDirt Full Roller Total posts: 57

posted May 07, 2002 04:00 AM
I know bill frye tryed it and switched back. Not sure why. wheels would be more expensive and if you wrecked an axle tube is alot less than a sprint live axle. also (not real familier with sprints) brakes would have to be floated on birdcage or use inboard brakes instead of clamped to axle tubes. most late models always clamp lr brake and alternate clamping or floating rr brake depending on how tight or loose you want car under brakingI'm sure alot of people have tried or thought about trying but must not be worth the effort,time or money.

3dirtLmDirt Full Roller Total posts: 39

posted May 12, 2002 10:23 PM
reason no one uses one is because almost all the rules say no open tube rear axles. They not new at all Ed Sanger used one in his car in the 80s. Actually I think you find that there isnt 80 lbs difference and when you add in what roller bearing bird cage weigh that must be used with an open tube rear the conventional rear assembly might even weigh less especially with the use of titanium axles.

racerwilsonDirt Full Roller Total posts: 56

posted May 21, 2002 07:16 PM
you give up alot of adjustments. no benny's